Patient Case Study: Charles*

Sleep Apnea Patient Case Study: Charles*

Patient is a 45 year old male who presented with chief concerns of extreme daytime tiredness, nighttime snoring, nasal obstruction and mouth only breathing which was affecting his daily life, career and relationships. He wanted to return to the energy he had in his 20’s and 30’s and exercise again and be more sociable. After screening his nighttime breathing with our take home sleep test, his results were concerning to Dr. Larson and he was referred for further evaluation to one of our Sleep Physician partners. The patient was diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and was suffocating over 70 times per hour! He had no idea, as most patients do not. Patient stated could not tolerate the traditional treatment for Sleep Apnea, an air machine called a CPAP that forces air down your airway to prevent airway collapse, and selected a treatment alternative of Continuous Open Airway Treatment (COAT) provided by the San Francisco Center for TMJ and Sleep Apnea. This Oral Appliance Therapy allows for proper jaw and airway position at night. After the appliance was fabricated, fitted and properly titrated over a 2 month period, he is breathing very well at night. With other lifestyle modifications of nutrition and nasal breathing support, our patient has improved his Apnea numbers over 90%, is exercising, losing weight, experiencing more energy and most important feels well rested each morning with no falling asleep at work!

Dr. Larson diagnosed the problem, and helped me understand what I was dealing with. After some sleep tests, the doctor fashioned a comfortable oral appliance that allowed me to breathe easily. The follow-up tests showed great improvement, but, most importantly, I’m finally able to get a good night’s rest.

CP

I began this treatment plan and I am now weaning off the treatment. It has reduced the pain I have been suffering from for so long and it has given me a lot of knowledge about the causes of TMJ. Dr. Larson, Yvonne, and the rest of the staff have been very friendly and helpful throughout the whole treatment. If you are struggling with TMJ, do not give up! There are options! I highly recommend this practice.

J.P.San Francisco

Years and years of mediocre and sporadic dental care left my mouth a mess. Then, I met Dr. Larson and his competent staff who made me feel at ease. They never made me feel embarrassed. They just showed me what they saw on a monitor, explained the health risks and gave me options and wanted to know what MY goals were for MY mouth.

Pascal V.Emeryville

Dr. Larson’s office is fantastic, great location, super welcoming. Staff is professional and great. Dr. Larson himself has a great style, really listening to what I needed/wanted and working out the best options. I needed to be seen very quickly because of a chipped veneer ( old and done overseas). It was my first appointment. They worked to accommodate my schedule to see me fast.

Erika M.San Anselmo

Carol took great care of me yet again during my cleaning. How she manages to make me feel so at home, at ease and do such a thorough job, starting and stopping on time, is a mystery to me but very appreciated. I continue to be very pleased with the level of care by Dr. Larson and team.

Tiffany M.San Francisco

Dr. Larson is an excellent dentist with a great team of friendly individuals who refrain from expressing shock and horror at what years of coffee, cigarettes (which I quit in 2012), and a love for acidic food looked like. Due to the rising costs of dentistry in the US, by my 4th year in the country my primary dentist was still someone in Indonesia.

Dr. Greg Larson attended the prestigious University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1999. He understands that the best professionals never stop learning, and he attends approximately 200 hours of continuing education every year.